Summary

In science news around the world, the United States confers protections to the Walrus Islands and a handful of other sites of archaeological significance by making them historic landmarks, a U.S. report finds that marijuana can treat chronic pain and notes that researchers who want to study the drug face significant obstacles, a new international particle accelerator located in Jordan takes a big step forward by achieving its first circulating beam of electrons, a U.K. study gives the go-ahead to build the world's first tidal lagoon power plant in the country, and more. Also, scientists express anger at the suggestion that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump might create a "vaccine safety" commission that could focus on scientifically discredited links between vaccines and autism. And a video game helps researchers understand how flocks of starlings keep predators at bay.